Method for holding multiple types of diagnostic test consumables in a random access single container

Abstract

An immunodiagnostic test method includes holding a selection of immunological test elements or consumables in one or more containers attached to or positioned in the analyzer and providing random access to any test element therein. The container can hold multiple types of test elements in compartments or slots. Through sensing of a test element position in its slot, the detection mechanism of the invention provides for random access to multiple types of test elements in any sleeve and within a single sleeve, and provides efficient inventory control. The method increases the number of test element types that may be loaded onto an analyzer and maintains fast determination of inventory.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The application relates to the field of immunodiagnostic testing using an automated analyzer and in particular to a method and device for holding a selection of immunological test elements or consumables in one or more containers attached to or placed into the analyzer and providing random access to any test element therein. The container is conveniently in the form of a sleeve, or rack that may be placed in a drawer adjacent and connected to the loading area of the analyzer. Such container can hold multiple types of test elements in compartments or slots. Through sensing of a test element position in its slot, the detection mechanism of the invention provides for random access to multiple types of test elements in any sleeve and within a single sleeve, and further provides efficient inventory control. Thus the method increases the number of test element types that may be loaded onto an analyzer while maintaining fast determination of inventory.BACKGROUND...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0009]In another embodiment of the invention, there is provided an invention for retrieving a previous indication of the number of test elements in the group in the container, determining a change in the number of test elements in the group in the container to a new number of test elements in the group in the container in the step of generating, associating the change in the number of test elements in the group in the container to a usage indication, and storing the association in the procession subsystem. By use of a graphical user interface on the apparatus, an operator may conveniently be provided with an indication of the change in the number of test elements in the group in the container, by visual or audible indication. In each case, the container may be a sleeve, a rack, or a support with positioning guides for holding the test element(s) in place in the slide tray of the drawer.

[0012]The herein described container and method provide considerable time savings and improvements in throughput when used in conjunction with an automated apparatus, as the inventory function makes possible random access to a greater number of types of test elements loaded within a single sleeve.

Problems solved by technology

Such manual interaction by the operator with the analyzer requiring opening the analyzer drawer to access the sleeves and changing the test element necessarily interrupts the blood testing process and delays results.

However, such methodology does not permit more than one type of test element per sleeve.

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